Photovoltaic quantum dot quantum cascade infrared photodetector

Design and characterization of a quantum dot quantum cascade detector for photovoltaic midwave infrared photodetection (λpeak = 5.5 μm) is demonstrated. The quantum cascade barrier region provides the internal electric field to transfer photoexcited electrons into quantum dots of the next stack, enabling zero bias operation. Increased carrier relaxation time for intersubband transitions in quantum dots provides a distinct advantage for the carrier transport. Responsivity of 10 mA/W and detectivity of 9 × 109 cm Hz1/2 W−1 at 77 K for f/2 optics has been obtained at zero bias. Dark current density is 6.5 × 10−7A cm−2, at 80 K at zero bias.